Difference between revisions of "Dark maul"
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{{flavour|A large, iron-shod maul specialised for dealing massively powerful blows. Such power comes at a price: the maul's head is so heavy it takes a great length of time to lift it up for another swing. | {{flavour|A large, iron-shod maul specialised for dealing massively powerful blows. Such power comes at a price: the maul's head is so heavy it takes a great length of time to lift it up for another swing. | ||
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[[File:dark maul.png]] '''''the +10 dark maul''''' | [[File:dark maul.png]] '''''the +10 dark maul''''' | ||
| − | +10 maul (modified [[great mace]]: | + | +10 maul (modified [[great mace]]: 37 base damage, -2 base accuracy, 24 base delay)<br> |
| − | [[ | + | [[Heavy]] brand |
==Desirability== | ==Desirability== | ||
| − | A single swing from the '''dark maul'''<ref>{{source ref|0.29.0|art-data.txt|1303}}</ref> will crush through virtually any monster's armour for heavy damage, but even at maximum [[Maces & Flails]] skill, it will still take you 16 | + | A single swing from the '''dark maul'''<ref>{{source ref|0.29.0|art-data.txt|1303}}</ref> will crush through virtually any monster's armour for ultra-heavy damage, but even at maximum [[Maces & Flails]] skill, it will still take you 15 or 16 [[aut]]s to attack - over 2x the mindelay of the slowest normal weapons. Every swing will practically leave you [[paralyse]]d for 1-2 turns. On the plus side, it has over 2.5x the base damage of even [[giant club]]s, which most characters can't use. |
| − | Is this trade-off actually worth it? High M&F skill is practically essential. It'll reduce the attack delay to a tolerable level, but accuracy is also an issue - each miss is much more punishing than with most weapons, and even with +10 enchantment you may miss often enough that it’s a problem. Compared to a well-enchanted [[demon whip]], the dark maul scales better with skill or strength and checks AC much less, but it takes the offhand slot | + | Is this trade-off actually worth it? High M&F skill is practically essential. It'll reduce the attack delay to a tolerable level, but accuracy is also an issue - each miss is much more punishing than with most weapons, and even with +10 enchantment you may miss often enough that it’s a problem. Compared to a well-enchanted [[demon whip]], the dark maul scales better with skill or strength and checks AC much less, but it takes the offhand slot, always risks an enemy double turn, and procs less [[auxiliary attack]]s. Basically, the maul is not a weapon to suddenly switch to Maces & Flails for - have high skill to make full use of the maul, and watch out for the delay. |
It’s also important to know when to use the maul and when to put it away for something faster. Try to avoid using the dark maul in open areas or when facing multiple opponents at once, because the high delay makes it impossible to respond quickly to unexpected damage spikes or new enemies entering [[line of sight]]. | It’s also important to know when to use the maul and when to put it away for something faster. Try to avoid using the dark maul in open areas or when facing multiple opponents at once, because the high delay makes it impossible to respond quickly to unexpected damage spikes or new enemies entering [[line of sight]]. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| + | *Prior to [[0.30]], the dark maul had the [[vorpal]] brand and 52 base damage and 30 base delay. It was changed to accommodate the [[heavy]] brand. | ||
*Prior to [[0.16]], the dark maul had only 44 base damage and a meager +6 enchantment level. | *Prior to [[0.16]], the dark maul had only 44 base damage and a meager +6 enchantment level. | ||
*The dark maul was added in [[0.14]]. | *The dark maul was added in [[0.14]]. | ||
Revision as of 10:57, 5 May 2023
| A large, iron-shod maul specialised for dealing massively powerful blows. Such power comes at a price: the maul's head is so heavy it takes a great length of time to lift it up for another swing.
“This caliber should be appropriate.” |
the +10 dark maul
+10 maul (modified great mace: 37 base damage, -2 base accuracy, 24 base delay)
Heavy brand
Desirability
A single swing from the dark maul[1] will crush through virtually any monster's armour for ultra-heavy damage, but even at maximum Maces & Flails skill, it will still take you 15 or 16 auts to attack - over 2x the mindelay of the slowest normal weapons. Every swing will practically leave you paralysed for 1-2 turns. On the plus side, it has over 2.5x the base damage of even giant clubs, which most characters can't use.
Is this trade-off actually worth it? High M&F skill is practically essential. It'll reduce the attack delay to a tolerable level, but accuracy is also an issue - each miss is much more punishing than with most weapons, and even with +10 enchantment you may miss often enough that it’s a problem. Compared to a well-enchanted demon whip, the dark maul scales better with skill or strength and checks AC much less, but it takes the offhand slot, always risks an enemy double turn, and procs less auxiliary attacks. Basically, the maul is not a weapon to suddenly switch to Maces & Flails for - have high skill to make full use of the maul, and watch out for the delay.
It’s also important to know when to use the maul and when to put it away for something faster. Try to avoid using the dark maul in open areas or when facing multiple opponents at once, because the high delay makes it impossible to respond quickly to unexpected damage spikes or new enemies entering line of sight.
Okawaru is a great god for the dark maul. Finesse can halve the delay of any weapon, making the maul a lot less risky to use, and Heroism helps boost skill levels. Manifold Assault can make the delay much more manageable, as you're swinging from a distance (not to mention potentially pasting multiple targets per swing).
History
- Prior to 0.30, the dark maul had the vorpal brand and 52 base damage and 30 base delay. It was changed to accommodate the heavy brand.
- Prior to 0.16, the dark maul had only 44 base damage and a meager +6 enchantment level.
- The dark maul was added in 0.14.
References
- ↑ art-data.txt:1303 (0.29.0)
